News

Budget blues for Benalla residents

07 May 2018

Benalla and district residents have been handed a State Budget that hits the hip pocket hard but doesn’t offer much in return.

Member for Euroa and Deputy Leader of The Nationals Steph Ryan said Daniel Andrews’ fourth budget was built on a 35 per cent tax increase when households and businesses across Benalla Rural City are starting to feel the pinch.

“Daniel Andrews’ city-centric 2018-19 State Budget is a lot of take and not a lot of give for local residents,” Ms Ryan said.

“Benalla’s police station is one of the oldest in the state. It needs to be completely rebuilt but it has been overlooked four years running by Daniel Andrews and his city centric government.

“Daniel Andrews is promising $235 million for Etihad stadium in Melbourne, but projects like an undercover arena for the Benalla Sports and Equestrian Centre and new changeroom and toilet facilities for Benalla’s junior footy players didn’t get a look in.”

Ms Ryan said she was concerned that the Andrews Labor Government was doing nothing to help struggling families with cost of living pressures.

“Daniel Andrews is trying to take more money from people’s pay packets when many are struggling to manage household budgets,” Ms Ryan said.

“Average household electricity bills are up by over $300 a year, vehicle registration has increased 20 per cent, stamp duty has gone up by 60 per cent and land tax by 77 per cent.

“Meanwhile Daniel Andrews’ budget pours $25 billion into metro project blowouts and the region’s Labor MPs show no concern for the impact these decisions are having on local families.

Ms Ryan said The Nationals had already committed to providing $1 million a year to Benalla Rural City for roads maintenance, replacing all the rolling stock on the north east line with brand new trains and appointing a Minister for Decentralisation so towns like Benalla grow and prosper if elected in November.

“I will continue to advocate for funding for important local projects so that we have the educational facilities, local roads and sporting facilities we deserve.”